My top 3 insights:
- If you fly in to Qosqo from somewhere at a much lower altitude (the most common scenario), allow at least 2 days for acclimatisation; you might enjoy the trek a lot more.
- Qosqo is a wonderful base to explore and is a destination in itself; try not to rush to Macchu Pichu and ignore both the day and night wonders that Qosqo has to offer.
- Waynapichu, the higher mountain at the Machu Picchu site, only accepts about 200 climbers a day. Book your climb pass early to avoid disappointment. And you probably won’t feel like climbing the smaller one once you have experienced Waynapichu.
Note to marathon runners:
If you are to run the Inca Trail marathon, you will tackle Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215m, the highest point on the trail, at mile #15. You might want to relook at insight #1 once more. Full elevation profile of this run.
© Duc Do dophotography.co